New Modified Nitrogen-Doped Graphene (N-G)/Metal Organic Framework (MOF) Derived Microporous Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR)

Abstract

Nitrogen-doped graphene (N-G), which is one of non-platinum group metal (non-PGM) catalysts, has a huge potential in many electrochemical systems such as fuel cells due to the high raw material cost of PGM catalyst. However, there is a significant gap between the current level of electrochemical performance of N-G catalysts and that of PGM catalysts. A new approach, which is modifying the N-G catalyst by metal-organic framework materials (MOFs) with nanoscale high energy wet ball milling method, is investigated to enhance the electrochemical performance of N-G catalysts. The physical and chemical properties of new synthesized N-G/MOF catalysts are characterized several characterization methods such as XPS, XAS, SEM-EDS, TEM, XRD, BET and RRDE. The processing control of the synthesis process is studied by characterizing a series of N-G/MOF catalysts synthesized with different grinding speed and grinding time. The successful accomplishment of the new N-G/MOF catalysts will provide the substantial way to the cost-effective and fuel-efficient energy conversion system.